Display packaging unit for packaging and displaying small parts

ABSTRACT

A packaging unit for displaying small parts packaged therein includes a substantially prismatic transparent container and a substantially plate-shaped cover for the container. These parts are slidable relative to each other in drawer-like fashion. They are provided with latch means or catch means tending to break when the cover is removed from the container, thus forming telltale means indicating unauthorized opening of the packaging unit.

United States Patent [191 Bockemiihl [451 July 29, 1975 DISPLAY PACKAGING UNIT FOR PACKAGING AND DISPLAYING SMALL PARTS [75] lnventor: Ulrich Bockemiihl, Ludenscheid,

Germany [73] Assignee: Spritzguss-Werk Ludenscheid G.m.b.H., Ludenscheid, Germany [22] Filed: June 29, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 375,232

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 1, 1972 Germany 2232494 [52] U.S. Cl. 206/469; 206/461; 206/470 [51] Int. Cl. B65D 73/00 [58] Field of Search 220/41; 206/45.34, 469,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS Dunham ct al. 220/41 3,782,584 1/1974 Swensou et al. 220/41 Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant ExaminerDouglas 1B. Farrow Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Erwin Salzer [57] ABSTRACT A packaging unit for displaying small parts packaged therein includes a substantially prismatic transparent container and a substantially plate-shaped cover for the container. These parts are slidable relative to each other in drawer-like fashion. They are provided with latch means or catch means tending to break when the cover is removed from the container, thus forming tell-tale means indicating unauthorized opening of the packaging unit.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures DISPLAY PACKAGING UNIT FOR PACKAGING AND DISPLAYING SMALL PARTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The principal object of this invention is to improve packaging means, particularly packaging means adapted to be suspended on a display rack or the rod of such a rack. The packaging means are intended to receive relatively small parts or components, such as small items of hardware.

The invention relates more particularly to prior art packaging units which include a substantially prismatic transparent container and a substantially flat plateshaped cover for the container having a projection extending beyond the container and being provided with an aperture allowing to suspend the cover with the container attached to it on a horizontal rod forming part of a display rack. The container is provided with integral, laterally extending flanges and the cover is provided with parallel ribs arranged adjacent to the sides thereof and being hook-shaped in cross-section. Portions of these parallel ribs of the cover overlap the flanges of the container. This arrangement of parts allows a relative rectilinear sliding motion between the cover and the container, the cooperating or engaging flanges of the container and ribs of the cover forming guide means which establish the rectilinearity of the relative motion of these two parts. The extent of the relative motion between the cover and the container is limited by cooperating abutments. These abutments may be formed by extensions of the aforementioned ribs, or by projections on the end of the cover remote from its aforementioned suspension aperture.

Packaging means of the kind under consideration are used extensively in selfservice stores. Potential customers may readily inspect the contents of the containers by virtue of their transparency.

Packaging means of the kind under consideration are frequently provided with detents precluding unintentional opening of the cover. Such detents may be formed by projections of the cover arranged inside the area thereof encompassed by the container and rela tively close to the area of the cover in physical engagement with the container. Normally such detent projections preclude undesired relative movement between the cover and the container. When a relatively small force is applied tending to effect a relative motion be tween the cover and the container, the latter undergoes a slight elastic deformation, allowing one of the lateral walls thereof to slide over the aforementioned detent projections. These detent projections are a convenience for the legitimate users of the package means, but are not intended to prevent unauthorized opening of the container, nor capable of performing this function. Therefore it is possible to open the container and to remove a portion of its content and it is not apparent from superficial inspection of any particular item whether it has been opened and a portion of its content removed. It may occur that a complaint is made to the management of a store claiming that the contents of a package is incomplete, i.e. that it contains fewer units, or components, than the number thereof it is supposed to contain. At the time such complaint is made it is no longer possible to determine whether the contents of the package was incomplete at the time the store re ceived it from its supplier, or whether some parts were removed from the package while it was on exhibit or display in the particular store, or whether the purchaser himself removed some of the parts following purchase of the particular item. To avoid this situation it became accepted practice to provide packages of the kind under consideration with tamper-proof seals which, when broken, showed that the package had been opened, or tampered with. The provision of such seals is, however, a relatively expensive and time-consuming proposition.

SUMMARY OF THE. INVENTION This invention is based on the concept that the afore mentioned additional tamper-proof seals can be dis pensed with if packaging means of the kind under consideration are provided with a latch or catch of such a nature as to make it difficult to open the drawer rapidly without aid of a tool such as, for instance, a screw driver. Such a latch or catch is most likely to be broken if the packaging means are hurriedly opened by an unauthorized person and then indicates that the package has been tampered with. In practice latches or catches of this nature are a complete substitute for the aforementioned tamper-proof seals, but less expensive than such seals because the latches or catches are formed by the container and its cover, thus eliminating the need for an additional part, namely the tamper-proof seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan veiw of the container for a first embodiment of the invention seen from its closed side rather than from the side thereof forming a merchandise-receiving cavity;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cover intended to close the container of FIG. I seen in the same direction as FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section showing the container of FIG. 1 combined with the cover of FIG. 2 to form a packaging unit, the section of FIG. 3 being taken along 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the cover of FIG. 2 in the same fashion as FIG. 2, except for the fact that a portion of the cover of FIG. 4 is broken away, the cover of FIG. 4 being intended to be used in combination with the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows the cover of FIG. 4 combined with the container of FIG. 1 and is a section of the same kind as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows in top plan view a modification of the cover of FIG. 4 combined with a container as shown in FIG. 1; 7

FIG. 7 shows in side elevation the complete packaging unit of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, numeral 1 has been applied to generally indicate a cupshaped container of a transparent synthetic resin forming a cavity for receiving merchandise. The container 1 is substantially in the shape of a prism having rounded edges and its front surface (forming the container bottom) is substantially rectangular. The longitudinal edges of container 1 are pro vided with outwardly extending flanges la and the transverse or shorter edges of container 1 are provided with outwardly extending flanges 1b. Flanges Ia and lb are arranged in a common plane which is the plane defined by the open surface or side of the container 1.

Flanges 1a and 1b are integral parts of container 1. Both flanges 1a are provided with an opening or cutout 1c, i.e. a short length where the flanges 1a are interrupted. The left flange lb (as seen in FIG. 1) is provided with a downwardly projecting short bar, or ridge, 1d arranged in the center of flange lb. The cover 2 (see FIG. 2) is provided with a rectangular small aperture, or recess, 2b into which bar or ridge lb may enter when container 1 is in position on cover 2. The bar or ridge 1d when engaging recess 2b forms a detent precluding unintentional relative movement of parts 1 and 2 in a direction longitudinally thereof, but allowing such relative movement upon application of a relatively small force just sufflcient to effect a slight elastic deformation of mating parts 1d and 2b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the width of cover 2 exceeds the width of container 1 and the length of cover 2 exceeds the length of container 1. Cover 2 is provided at the left side or left end thereof with a hole or perforation 2a for suspending cover 2 on a horizontal bar of a display rack, or the like. It will be noted that hole or perforation 2a is arranged outside the region of cover 2 occupied by container 1 when the latter is joined to cover 2, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 shows further that recess 2b and opening or perforation 2a are arranged close to each other.

Reference character 2c has been applied to indicate a pair of parallel ribs which are substantially hookshaped in cross-section. In other words, each rib has a lower portion 2e substantially at right angles to the general plane defined by cover 2, and an upper portion 2d substantially parallel to the general plane defined by cover 2. The spaceing between the plane defined by cover 2 and the upper portions 2d of ribs 2c is substantially equal to the thickness of the flanges 1a of container 1. The spacing between the lower portions 2e of the two ribs 2c is substantially equal to the total width of container 1, i.e. its width proper plus the width of flanges 1a. Hence hook-shaped ridges 2c and flanges 1a may cooperate to form guide means for affixing parts 1 and 2 to each other and allowing relative drawer-like movements of parts 1 and 2 in a direction longitudinally thereof. The ridges have extensions 2f arranged at right angles to the ridges 2c proper, i.e. extensions 2f are parallel to the narrow sides of cover 2. Cover 2 is further provided with a short ridge 2f ar ranged between, and aligned with, the aforementioned ridge-like extensions 2f of ridges 20. Parts 2f form abutments when cooperating with the right flange lb of cover 1 to positively limit the extent of relative movement of container 1 and cover 2 in a direction longitudinally thereof.

Reference character 2g has been applied to indicate gaps formed in hook-shaped ridges 20. In other words, each gap 2g subdivides one of the hook-shaped parallel ridges 2c into two sections. Gaps 2g have no immediate bearing on this invention. They are provided to facilitate the manufacture of cover 2. It will be further noted from FIG. 2 that cover 2 is provided with perforations 2h which are substantially coextensive with the upper portions 2d of hook-shaped guide ridges 2c. Perforations 2h do not affect the operation of the structure described, but are provided to facilitate the manufacture of cover 2.

Reference character 21' has been applied to indicate narrow slits or incisions of limited length separating portions 2e, 2d, of ribs 2c from the rest of them. Slits or incisions 21' are limited to the right hand sections of ribs 20, i.e. the sections of ribs 2c which are initially engaged by tb right flange 1b of container 1 when the latter is inserted into cover 1 by a left-to-right sliding motion. The presence of slits or incisions 2i results in the formation of flexible tabs 2k. Each of these flexible tabs 2k is provided on its lower side, i.e. its side remote from cover 1, with wedge-like surface 21 shown in FIG. 3. This wedge-like surface 21 and tabs 2k proper form a shoulder 2m therebetween.

When cover 1 is moved from left to right (FIGS. 1-3) relative to container or receptacle 1 to join these two parts, flanges 1a engage the wedge-shaped surfaces 21 of tabs 2k and displace the latter. In the ultimate closing position determined by engagement of the right flange 1b of container 1 by abutment parts 2f tabs 2k register with cut-outs 1c in flanges la of container 1. As a result, the flexible tabs 2k which had been previously displaced upwardly by flanges la of container 1 are free to resume their initial position, i.e. to snap in downward direction. When this happens the shoulders 2m are juxtaposed to the right edges of cut-outs 1c in flanges 1a of cover 1. Simultaneously projection 1d of container 1 snaps into recess or aperture 2b in cover 2.

In order to remove the cover 2 from container 1 a relative sliding motion of both parts must be effected. To perform this sliding motion the resistance of coating parts 1d, 2b and of coacting parts 10, 2m must be overcome. A relative sliding motion of parts 1 and 2 results normally in that tabs 2k are fractured and break off. Thus tabs 2k form tell-tale means indicating tampering with the package.

The structures of FIGS. 4-7 differ from that shown in FIGS. 1-3 only in minor details. The description of these figures can, therefore, be limited to the aforementioned details, particularly since the same reference characters have been applied in all figures to indicate like parts.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, cover 2 is provided with flexible tabs 2n (of which only one is shown in FIG. 4) which are formed by U-shaped slits in cover 2. In other words, tabs 2n are separated from the main body of cover 2 by the formation of U-shaped slits therein of which but one is shown in FIG. 4. The upper surfaces of tabs 2n are wedge-shaped, as clearly shown in FIG. 5 and indicated at 20. When the flanges 1a of container 1 of FIG. 1 engage wedge-shaped surface 20, tabs 2n are depressed downwardly. However, when tabs 2n are juxtaposed to, or in registry with, openings 10 in flanges 1a of container 1, tabs 2n snap upwardly and abut against one of the transversal edges of cutouts 1c of flanges la of container 1. To open the package unit without tools causes tabs 2n to break off. Thus tabs 2n form tell-tale safety catches indicating whether or not tampering with, or unauthorized opening of a package has occurred.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the structure shown therein is basically the same as shown in the other figures, except for the fact that the flexible latch tab is formed in the lower portion 2e of hook-shaped ribs 2c rather than in the upper portions 2d thereof as, for instance, in FIG. 4. Reference character 2q has been applied in FIG. 7 to indicate the flexible tab formed by one of the hook-shaped ribs 20 of cover 2. The inside of tabs 2q have wedge-shaped surfaces 2p which snap into recesses 10 of receptacle 1(see FIG. 1) when the latter is joined with the cover 2. This is shown in FIG.

6, i.e. H6. 6 shows receptacle or container 1 and cover 2 in their interlocked or latched position. Opening of container 1 by a relative sliding movement of container 1 and cover 2 results in breaking the flexible tabs 2q thus indicating unauthorized opening of the package.

It will be noted that the difference between the structures of FIGS. 1-5, on the one hand, and that of FIGS. 6 and 7, on the other hand, resides in the fact that in the last mentioned mechanism the latching parts 2q, 2p are angularly displaced 90. To be more specific, in the structures of FIGS. l-5 the flexible latching tabs are ar ranged in a plane parallel to the general plane of cover 2, and in the structure of FIGS. 6 and 7 the flexible latching tabs are arranged in a plane substantially at right angles to the general plane of cover 2.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the flexible latching tabs are arranged accessibly so that they can readily be broken off by means of a tool, e.g. a screw driver, by any legitimate owner of the packaging unit. This is desirable because some users of the unit may not be inclined to break off the tabs by exerting such a force on parts 1 and 2 that their latching tabs are broken off.

FIGS. l-7 show preferred embodiments of the invention wherein the latching tabs are formed by ribs of the cover which are hook-shaped in cross-section, and wherein these latching tabs enter into tab-receiving recesses formed by the container. The latching principle may be reversed by providing the container with flexible latching tabs, and by providing the longitudinal ribs of the cover with latching-tab-receiving recesses.

I claim as my invention:

1. A packaging unit of synthetic resin for storing small parts including a transparent prismatic container having integral outwardly projecting flanges and a substantially plate-shaped cover for said container having parallel slide guide ribs engaged by said flanges of said container and allowing a relative rectilinear motion of said cover and said container, said cover having a perforation outside the area thereof encompassed by said container to allow suspension of said unit by means of said perforation, and said cover having abutment means limiting the extent of said relative motion of said cover and said container, wherein the improvement comprises a flexible tab adapted to form a latch and a tab-receiving aperture adapted to be engaged by said latch-forming tab when said container is closed by said cover and said tab-receiving aperture and said latchforming tab are in registry, said latch-forming tab and said tab-receiving aperture being formed by portions of said slide guide ribs of said cover and by portions of said flanges of said container, and said latch-forming tab being arranged in such a way that it snaps into said tab-receiving aperture incident to closing of said container by said cover and is fractured incident to a rectilinear opening motion of said cover relative to said container.

2. A packaging unit as specified in claim 1 wherein said flanges of said container form recesses and wherein said slide guide ribs are hook-shaped in crosssection, portions of said ribs forming flexible tabs including wedge-shaped surfaces arranged to enter into said recesses of said flanges of said container in the closed positions of said cover, and said flexible tabs being arranged to be fractured incident to a subsequent relative opening motion of said cover and said container.

3. A packaging unit as specified in claim 2 wherein said tabs are formed by portions of said ribs which are parallel to the general plane of said cover.

4. A packaging unit as specified in claim 2 wherein said tabs are formed by portions of said ribs at right angles to the general plane of said cover.

5. A packaging unit as specified in claim 1 wherein said flexible tabs are arranged accessibly so that they can be broken off by means of a tool.

6. A packaging unit as specified in claim 1 wherein said slide guide ribs have a pair of flanges enclosing a substantially right angle, the flanges immediately adjacent the general plane defined by said cover having a spacing substantially equal to the spacing of the outer edges of said flanges of said container, said flanges of said slide-guide ribs forming flexible latching tabs and said flanges of said container having recesses receiving said latching tabs when said latching tabs and said recesses ar in registry. 

1. A packaging unit of synthetic resin for storing small parts including a transparent prismatic container having integral outwardly projecting flanges and a substantially plate-shaped cover for said container having parallel slide guide ribs engaged by said flanges of said container and allowing a relative rectilinear motion of said cover and said container, said cover having a perforation outside the area thereof encompassed by said container to allow suspension of said unit by means of said perforation, and said cover having abutment means limiting the extent of said relative motion of said cover and said container, wherein the improvement comprises a flexible tab adapted to form a latch and a tab-receiving aperture adapted to be engaged by said latch-forming tab when said container is closed by said cover and said tab-receiving aperture and said latch-forming tab are in registry, said latch-forming tab and said tab-receiving aperture being formed by portions of said slide guide ribs of said cover and by portions of said flanges of said container, and said latch-forming tab being arranged in such a way that it snaps into said tab-receiving aperture incident to closing of said container by said cover and is fractured incident to a rectilinear opening motion of said cover relative to said container.
 2. A packaging unit as specified in claim 1 wherein said flanges of said container form recesses and wherein said slide guide ribs are hook-shaped in cross-section, portions of said ribs forming flexible tabs including wedge-shaped surfaces arranged to enter into said recesses of said flanges of said container in the closed positions of said cover, and said flexible tabs being arranged to be fractured incident to a subsequent relative opening motion of said cover and said container.
 3. A packaging unit as specified in claim 2 wherein said tabs are formed by portions of said ribs which are parallel to the general plane of said cover.
 4. A packaging unit as specified in claim 2 wherein said tabs are formed by portions of said ribs at right angles to the general plane of said cover.
 5. A packaging unit as specified in claim 1 wherein said flexible tabs are arranged accessibly so that they can be broken off by means of a tool.
 6. A packaging unit as specified in claim 1 wherein said slide guide ribs have a pair of flanges enclosing a substantially right angle, the flanges immediately adjacent the general plane defined by said cover having a spacing substantially equal to the spacing of the outer edges of said flanges of said container, said flanges of said slide-guide ribs forming flexible latching tabs and said flanges of said container having recesses receiving said latching tabs when said latching tabs and said recesses are in registry. 